Banda out in Malawi election
Mutharika declared winner as protests cap controversial poll
DEMOCRATIC Progressive Party leader Peter Mutharika was declared the winner of Malawi’s disputed presidential election on Friday after defeating President Joyce Banda. He was sworn in yesterday.
Mutharika, the brother of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, took 36.4% of the vote against Banda’s 20.2%, the electoral commission said.
The results were announced minutes after the high court refused a last-ditch attempt to block their release and allow time for a recount.
Riot police patrolled the commercial capital Blantyre as the results were announced after earlier demonstrations turned violent. One person was killed when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters demanding a recount in the southeastern town of Mangochi.
Electoral commission chief Maxon Mbendera declared Mutharika “president-elect” after last week’s vote, which Banda said was marred by “serious irregularities” and wanted to declare “null and void“.
The results showed that Banda was beaten into third place by Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party, who garnered 27.8% of the vote.
Mutharika, 74, is set to take the reins under the cloud of a treason charge.
He is accused of attempting to conceal his brother’s death in office two years ago in an attempt to prevent Banda — then vice-president — from assuming power. Banda prevailed and took office as decreed by the constitution.
Mutharika, a law professor and former cabinet minister, faces additional counts of inciting a mutiny and conspiracy.
Analysts said it was likely the case would be set aside because Malawi’s presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution as long as they are in office.
There is speculation that once Mutharika is in power, he could turn the tables on Banda and have her charged with corruption in connection with a R317million graft scandal dubbed “Cashgate”.
Banda has claimed the credit for uncovering the fraud in which aid money was syphoned into top government officials’ pockets, but critics say the funds went into her party’s election war chest.
The election was dogged by controversy from the start when some polling stations opened 10 hours late and recorded more votes than there were registered voters. — AFP